These are slides for a workshop on how copy editors can use Twitter. Related links here: http://stevebuttry.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/twutorial-for-copy-editors-links-slides-and-tweets/

1. #twutorial
for copy editors
Steve Buttry
American Copy Editors Society
Las Vegas
March 20, 2014

2. Read more about it
• stevebuttry.wordpress.com (#twutorial)
• slideshare.net/stevebuttry
• @stevebuttry
• stephenbuttry@gmail.com

8. Branded account voice
• Clean copy on Twitter matters & who
does better clean copy?
• If copy editor posts story, that’s when
link should be tweeted
• Writing headlines & tweets demand
similar skills

9. Branded account voice
• Conversational tone, not headlinese
• Reply, RT (even competition)
• Thank community members for RTs
• Use @usernames
• Use #hashtags (#mytownNV,
#NVweather, etc.)

10. CT Twitter study:
• Newsroom accounts mostly heads & links
• @5thDistrictCT conversational (links to
competition, RTs, replies, great info)
• @5thDistrictCT = 2x to 10x more referrals
per Twitter follower

15. Andy Carvin
“I think curation has always been a
part of journalism; we just didn't call it
that.” – quoted in The Atlantic by
Phoebe Connelly

16. What is curation?
Museum curator:
• Studies topic
• Chooses relevant
content (other
sources & museum
collection)
• Authenticates
• Groups related items
• Provides context
• Presents exhibit
Journalism curator:
• Studies topic
• Chooses relevant
content (social
media, blogs, staff)
• Authenticates
• Groups related items
• Provides context
• Presents collected
content

25. Curation tips
• Master advanced search
• Use curation tools: Storify, Spundge,
RebelMouse, Newspeg, Geofeedia …
• Say what you know, what you don’t know
• What do you need to verify?
• Correct quickly

26. Vetting & verifying
• Track back RTs, etc.
to source
• Look for clusters
• Location enabled?
• Evaluate the network
• Evaluate the history
• Links, photos?
• Take it old school
• Disclose, hedge,
repeat
• Be brave only in
correction
Tips from Craig Silverman, Regret the Error

27. Evaluating tweeps
• How long have they been tweeting?
• Check previous tweets, interaction
• Check bio, links
• Check Klout score
• Google name and scam, spammer
• Contact & interview
Tips from Mandy Jenkins, Zombie Journalism

28. Hashtags
• Regular hashtags
• Event hashtags
• Breaking news
• Humorous
• Chats

29. Hashtag tips
• Use existing hashtag if there is one
• Search before launching hashtag (avoid
duplication)
• Look for secondary hashtags, especially
in events or breaking news

33. Building followers
• Tweet often
• Find & follow local people
• Be conversational
• Livetweet events
• Give more than you ask for
• Be yourself

34. Connecting w/ community
• Use Advanced Twitter Search or Nearby
Tweets to find & check local tweeps
• Search terms & location to find people
tweeting about your beat
• Check followers of @yourbrand
• See who tweeps are conversing with
• Who follows agencies, people on beat?

35. Time management
• Don’t drink the whole stream
• Integrate Twitter into your day
• Tweet a few times a day
• Check “mentions”
• Use lists, alerts & saved searches
• Use mobile device
• TweetDeck, HootSuite

36. Organizing chaos
• Use Twitter lists
• TweetDeck & HootSuite help organize
• Check @ mentions
• Twitter alerts
• Save regular searches (can be columns in
TweetDeck, HootSuite)

37. Livetweeting
• Set context: Event, be clear if you’re not
there
• Use hashtag (do you feed into liveblog?)
• Feed into site (Twitter widget,
ScribbleLive, CoverItLive, LiveblogPro,
Superdesk)
• Monitor or moderate

38. Crowdsource

39. Connect directly

40. Find eyewitnesses

41. Key developments

42. Key developments

43. Tweet photos

44. Tweet photos

45. Tweet details, developments

46. Details from scene

47. Tweet quotes

48. Livetweet briefings

49. Livetweet action

50. RT other media

51. Be the source for news

52. Crowdsource

53. Crowdsource

56. If it looks
too good
to be true,
grab a
screenshot!

64. One more use
Conversation among copy editors

72. Always remember
• Twitter is your brand (personal or
company) speaking to the public
• Take one last edit through your tweet
before posting (Duh! You’re copy editors)
• Correct quickly
• Acknowledge errors

74. Read more about it
• stevebuttry.wordpress.com (#twutorial)
• slideshare.net/stevebuttry
• @stevebuttry
• stephenbuttry@gmail.com